Indian River County, FL Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulator
- Florida DCF
- County licensing
- None adopted
- Requirement
- Annual DCF registration
- Screening
- Level 2 background checks
- Training
- Course plus exam
Summary
A family day care home in Indian River County registers each year with the Florida Department of Children and Families. The county has no licensing ordinance of its own, so Fla. Stat. §402.313 requires DCF registration, background screening, and training for a provider caring for children in the home.
If not subject to license, family day care homes shall register annually with the department, providing the following information:
Full Breakdown
Home child care runs through state law, not the county. Fla. Stat. §402.313 licenses a family day care home where a county has adopted a licensing ordinance, and requires annual registration with DCF everywhere else. Indian River County providers register with DCF, completing the required training course and competency exam, Level 2 background screening for the operator and household members, current immunization records, and continuing education each year. A family day care home may care for a limited number of children in the operator's own residence. Florida bars charging a licensed or registered home commercial utility rates, and zoning treats the home as a residence.
Violations & Fines
Caring for children for pay without the required DCF registration or license exposes the provider to state enforcement, fines, and an order to stop operating until registered, screened, and trained.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to run a home daycare in Indian River County?
Can the county zone out a family day care home?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indian River County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Indian River County to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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